Gamma Zeta Boulé Foundation Awards $12,500 in L.A.M.P. Mentor Scholarships

On Saturday, June 11, 2011, the Gamma Zeta Boulé Foundation (GZBF) L.A.M.P. Mentor Program awarded $12,500 in scholarships to five high school graduates heading off to college.  The honorees were active participants in the GZBF L.A.M.P. Mentor Program, during the 2010 – 11 academic year. Held at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse (Pasadena), the event was the culmination of a ten month effort to provide the young men with the following skills for future success; Leadership, Achievement, Management and Professionalism (LA.M.P.). Pasadena’s Chief of Police, Phillip L. Sanchez, expressed his admiration to the scholarship recipients for their hard work and success.

The award recipients were Lance Arnold of Maranatha High School (Philander Smith College); Destiny Iwuoma of John Muir High School (UC Berkeley); Bryson Smith of Santiago High School (Hampton University); Aubrey Walker of Polytechnic High School (Harvard University); and Charles Walker of Marshall Fundamental School (American University). Each student received an award of $2,500 each, made possible by the Gamma Zeta Boulé and community support.

In recognition of a family member, Ty Bass, Ms. Jevonne Shepherd presented Destiny Iwuoma with the first annual “Tarone L. Bass Award. ” The award is given to a program participant who has shown a willingness to help others, enthusiasm, kindness, a generous spirit, respectfulness and a positive attitude. Mr. Iwuoma received the award (and $250), for his work in the GZBF L.A.M.P. Mentor Program, in addition to starting his own mentoring program at his high school (John Muir).

The GZBF L.A.M.P. Mentor Program, launched in 2009, serves high school young men in the greater Pasadena/Altadena area who are committed to attending and graduating from the college or university of their choice. The primary focus of the program is to cultivate, encourage and support the young men, while enhancing their knowledge of community service, leadership, volunteerism   and general management. The GZBF L.A.M.P. Mentor Program collaborates with professionals, community leaders and educators, creating a wide-range of activities and exposure for the mentees.

The sessions are held on the third Saturday of each month (September – June), at various Pasadena area institutions such as California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Huntington Library, Art Center College of Design, Huntington Memorial Hospital, etc. Students are prepared for public speaking, interviews (college and job), networking and volunteer activities.

Archon Harlan L. Ward, President of the Gamma Zeta Boulé Foundation, said “the exposure to the professional culture of Gamma Zeta Boulé provides growth and confidence to the young men, while at the same time, developing their leadership potential.” This exposure also allows the young men to interact with a group of professionals willing to share management and leadership techniques and concepts. Workshops include (but are not limited to): Leadership/Management, Financial Literacy, Presentations, Interviewing, Business Etiquette, Public Service, Health and Nutrition, College Prep, Civil Service, Entrepreneurship Philanthropy and more.

Additional information regarding the GZBF L.A.M.P. Mentor Program can be obtained at www.gammazeta.org.